Business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in 2002-03 was $5,979m, 3.6% higher than recorded in 2001-02 (table 25.1). This represented the highest level recorded to date and is the third successive year of increase following the declines from 1995-96 to 1998-99 and the levelling off between 1998-99 and 1999-2000. In volume terms, with the effect of changes in prices and wages and salaries removed, BERD increased by 1.5% in 2002-03 compared with 2001-02.

The net increase in BERD between 2001-02 and 2002-03 was attributable to a 11.9% increase by the manufacturing industry, a 3.0% decrease by the mining industry and a 2.8% decrease by other industries in total. It should be noted that mineral exploration is excluded from the definition of R&D (table 25.6).

A slightly different pattern applied to human resources devoted to R&D, with 18% in computer software; 11% in automotive engineering; 8% in manufacturing engineering; 6% in communications technologies; 6% in other engineering and technology; 6% in electrical and electronic engineering; and 6% in medical and health sciences (table 25.7).

25.7 BUSINESS R&D RESOURCES, By field of research(a) - 2002-03

Type of expenditure

Capital
expenditure

Labour
costs

Other current expenditure

Total

Human resources

$m

$m

$m

$m

’000 person years

Mathematical sciences

0.5

13.5

16.4

30.4

0.2

Physical sciences

2.3

22.8

20.3

45.4

0.3

Chemical sciences

13.8

89.2

100.9

203.9

1.3

Earth sciences

4.7

16.7

92.8

114.2

0.2

Biological sciences

20.8

94.0

95.5

210.3

1.0

Information systems

12.6

149.1

125.7

287.4

1.8

Computer software

30.5

515.3

230.1

775.9

6.1

Other information, computing and communication sciences

9.7

156.1

210.8

376.5

1.8

Industrial biotechnology and food sciences

10.7

80.2

56.7

147.7

0.9

Chemical engineering

7.5

30.9

55.4

93.9

0.4

Manufacturing engineering

53.3

192.2

237.7

483.3

2.7

Automotive engineering

52.9

284.9

295.8

633.6

3.6

Mechanical and industrial engineering

13.3

79.4

81.9

174.7

1.2

Resources engineering

38.0

61.6

270.3

369.8

0.6

Electrical and electronic engineering

35.0

145.5

120.2

300.7

1.9

Metallurgy

16.1

43.4

124.6

184.1

0.5

Materials engineering

13.2

53.4

58.3

124.9

0.7

Communications technologies

45.9

171.2

180.9

398.0

2.1

Other engineering and technology

36.1

143.2

161.7

340.9

2.1

Agricultural, veterinary and environmental sciences

17.7

76.3

106.0

199.9

1.1

Medical and health sciences

20.8

163.4

207.8

392.0

1.9

Other research fields

2.5

44.1

44.5

91.1

0.5

Total

457.8

2,626.5

2,894.3

5,978.6

33.0

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.(b) Not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated.

Expenditure on R&D carried out by Commonwealth, and state and territory government organisations in 2002-03 was $2,482m, a 5% increase on expenditure in 2000-01 (table 25.1).

The research fields in which most government R&D expenditure took place were: agricultural, veterinary and environmental sciences ($761m, or 31%); engineering and technology ($424m, or 17%); biological sciences ($263m, or 11%); earth sciences ($242m, or 10%); and medical and health sciences ($198m, or 8%) (table 25.9).

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.

Source: Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia, 2002-03 (8109.0).

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.

Source: Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia, 2002-03 (8109.0).

Higher education sector

Estimated expenditure on R&D carried out by the higher education sector in 2002 was $3,430m, an increase of 23% over expenditure in 2000, and 34% over expenditure in 1998 (table 25.1).

The major fields of research in which higher education R&D expenditure took place in 2002 were: medical and health sciences ($864m, or 25% of total expenditure); biological sciences ($410m, or 12%); engineering and technology ($375m, or 11%); and agricultural, veterinary and environmental sciences ($235m, or 7%). Direct labour costs accounted for 42% of total R&D expenditure (table 25.11).

A slightly different pattern applied to human resources devoted to R&D, with 19% on medical and health sciences, 10% on engineering and technology, 10% on biological sciences and 6% on agricultural, veterinary and environmental sciences (table 25.11).

25.11 HIGHER EDUCATION R&D RESOURCES, By field of research(a) - 2002

Type of expenditure

Land and buildings

Other capital expenditure

Direct labour costs

Scholarships

Other current expenditure

Total

Human
resources

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

’000 person years

Mathematical sciences

0.9

2.5

30.4

4.1

26.1

64.0

0.8

Physical sciences

1.0

11.1

57.4

6.6

53.3

129.4

1.4

Chemical sciences

18.5

11.1

57.3

12.3

56.1

155.2

1.9

Earth sciences

1.1

11.2

47.4

7.7

46.7

114.1

1.5

Biological sciences

56.2

21.5

146.4

26.1

160.0

410.2

4.8

Information, computing and communication sciences

2.0

11.2

62.3

11.1

57.5

144.1

2.2

Engineering and technology

6.6

28.7

150.3

30.7

158.2

374.5

5.2

Agricultural, veterinary and environmental sciences

3.7

11.0

99.9

18.0

102.6

235.2

3.1

Medical and health sciences

16.0

44.0

353.1

41.2

409.6

863.8

9.4

Education

3.0

3.3

58.0

11.2

52.9

128.4

3.1

Economics

1.7

1.7

38.8

4.3

37.4

83.8

1.2

Commerce, management, tourism and services

3.3

4.0

65.4

7.3

57.2

137.2

2.5

Studies in human society

1.9

2.6

48.9

9.9

48.1

111.4

2.3

Behavioural and cognitive sciences

2.7

4.4

51.2

10.5

44.5

113.3

2.2

Other research fields

12.7

8.5

170.0

36.2

137.7

365.0

8.1

Total

131.2

176.7

1,436.8

237.3

1,447.6

3,429.6

49.6

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.

In terms of socioeconomic objectives (table 25.12), most higher education R&D expenditure ($1,474m or 43%) was directed towards society. About 29% was directed towards economic development, 21% towards non-oriented research and 6% towards environment. The major subdivision within society was health with 28% of total R&D expenditure.

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.

Expenditure on R&D carried out by private non-profit organisations in 2002-03 was $360m, an increase an 24% on expenditure in 2000-01 (table 25.1).

Medical and health sciences comprised the major field of research for R&D expenditure in the private non-profit sector, accounting for $221m (61%) of the sector's total R&D expenditure in 2002-03. Labour costs continued to be the main component of R&D expenditure (50%) (table 25.13).

Medical and health sciences also comprised the leading field of research in terms of human resource use (table 25.13).

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.(b) Not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated.

Source: Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia, 2002-03 (8109.0).

In the private non-profit sector, health was the main socioeconomic objective, accounting for 90% or $324m of total R&D expenditure. Education and training accounted for $20m (6%), while $11m (3%) was directed towards economic development (table 25.14).

(a) Data were subjectively allocated by data providers at the time of reporting, using OECD/ABS definitions. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data and applies consistent processing methodologies. Readers using these data should bear in mind the original subjectivity of the information.(b) Not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated.

Source: Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia, 2002-03 (8109.0).

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